What are some good freestyle boards which can go upwind in chop typical of 3rd ave, and still have a lot of pop?

I haven't been able to find decent reviews online comparing all the top boards on the market, and it's difficult to borrow and test out different ones.. I know it's subjective, but what are the main things to look for in a board? Anyone tried a bunch of brands lately? I feel like a lot of the reviews have been done in perfect wind conditions, flat water..

Right now I have an old 132 underground FLX, which I like, but at 200lbs sometimes it's hard to get upwind. I do like how the board has minimal rocker and is stiff though.. so I'm thinking to get a similar board but at 140cm or so.. also something to help progression with old-school tricks and unhooked.. suggestions?

If you ride 3rd with some regularity, you'd probably want to find Steve Gunn and try a Cabrinha Tronic. I've been riding a few different styles of boards for quite some time and have found the Tronic to be very good and a breath of fresh air. It handles chop really well, which my old wider tip, flatter rocker boards didn't, and I still find myself going upwind very well. I could go on but it's easy for you to try one there at 3rd, so why not, it could be what you're looking for.

But honestly it sounds like to me you may just need a bit more board at 200lbs and a 132. If you like the whole Underground shape, look at Axis. I know Live2Kite out in Greenbrae carries some nice Axis boards and their Limited is a pretty light and stiff Carbon Fiber board that will cut upwind real well.

If you want even more pop than that, you might want to look at either the Cabrinha Custom or the Tona Pop or the Liquid Force DLX. All are more wakestyle boards, I guess Steve Gunn is the Cabrinha Rep and I'm the Tona Rep. I'm not sure who is the Liquid Force rep but I know Guido and Adam Rodriguez can both point you in the right direction.

I know I've never had problems going upwind on my Tona Pop, I'm 140lbs and I'm on a 138 and boots. Obviously I had an easier time when I had a board with less rocker, but I've never had a real issue upwinding with this board.

I can bring out a 142 for you to demo next time you're around, and I know KGB out in Emeryville carries Tona as well.

If looking for freestyle, I like the F-One Acid (which is the one I use).But it looks like you're looking for more of an all around board.I love the Trax for that.PM me if you want to demo it in 138x42.

the question posted is really just an excuse for ALL the reps to pimp their products. Trust me, a year ago the answer would be Slingshot, not Cabrinha. I'll tell you RRD or AXIS. But they are all good boards. The fact you are asking the question would imply you are not an advanced enough rider to see the very subtle differences between them anyways. Just get your favorite looking one in the right size and you will be fine. I'm not saying all boards ar equal as they are not but it is also not fair to you to say that a certain board is better. And kite manufacturers make perfectly good boards. It's just a board, they are all made with basically the same process. And most likely a good handful are made in the same factory in China. Just try some out and see what fits you best. Thats an honest answer.

windhorny wrote:the question posted is really just an excuse for ALL the reps to pimp their products. Trust me, a year ago the answer would be Slingshot, not Cabrinha. I'll tell you RRD or AXIS. But they are all good boards. The fact you are asking the question would imply you are not an advanced enough rider to see the very subtle differences between them anyways. Just get your favorite looking one in the right size and you will be fine. I'm not saying all boards ar equal as they are not but it is also not fair to you to say that a certain board is better. And kite manufacturers make perfectly good boards. It's just a board, they are all made with basically the same process. And most likely a good handful are made in the same factory in China. Just try some out and see what fits you best. Thats an honest answer.

+1 I wish these kind of questions would be off limit in the forum. It's really making the forum feel like a pimping ground.